News

Clare's News Column May 2018

The cowslips and the bluebells are out - and by the time you read this the cows will be on the commons – a real sign of summer in this area. There are lots of events coming up that will give you a chance to see and enjoy some of the nature and wildlife in our area. The Festival of Nature starts at the end of May; the brochure, giving details of lots of nature based activities, will be available in the Farmers Market on Saturday.

Meanwhile we have organised a Bat Walk in partnership with the Museum in the Park at Stratford Park on Friday 18 May 8.30pm - 10.00pm where you can encounter Stroud’s many incredible types of bats with a local expert. We will listen for bats using bat detectors, and will hope to spot some flying. You will need to bring warm clothes and a torch. The Museum and Walled Garden will be open until 11pm, with the launch of a new community exhibition called Medicine Heads by the Independence Trust and SIT Select Textiles exhibition with a Pimms and G&T bar.

If you are interested to find out more about great crested newts we are also running a Newt Survey in Kingswood near Wotton under Edge that same weekend. On Friday evening a number of bottle traps will be set in the two ponds on-site at the old dew pond and the main breeding pond. If the weather is favourable a torch lamp survey will also be carried out for both ponds. On Saturday morning the bottle traps will be emptied and a survey count will be taken before releasing any newts or pond life found. Dates and times are Friday evening 18 May: 7.30pm 9.30pm and Saturday morning 19 May : 7.30am - 9am. This is a free event - donations welcomed, booking is essential as numbers are limited - call us on 01453 753358 or visit our eco shop, 8 Threadneedle Street, Stroud.

If plants are more your thing we are organising our annual Seedling Swap and plant sale on Saturday 2 June outside SVP Eco Shop from 10.30 - 1.00pm. If you have any spare or unwanted seedlings this is the event for you!. Bring along any seedlings that you have spare and exchange them for others. Both vegetable and flower varieties welcome. Even if you don’t have any seedlings to swap, you can still take some for a donation. It’s a great way to meet other gardeners and to share advice and knowledge

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Created: 31 October 2018

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